South O' the Highway (and the North too)

The annual Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off in Bridgehampton last weekend. Chace Crawford served as host, and other popular guests included AJ Calloway, Caridee English, Gregg Bello, Eric Villency, Jamison Ernst, Nicky Hilton, Michael Gelman, Dan Burke and Jeff Smith. The matches will continue every Saturday through August 23, and all proceeds will benefit the South Fork Breast Health Coalition.

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Congratulations to Southampton's Alexander Covey, MD, director of East End Laser Care, who is one of a select few to be named one of "America's Top Physicians" by the Consumer Research Council of America, an independent research company based in Washington, D.C. that evaluates physicians throughout America. Dr. Covey specializes in cosmetic and laser surgery and has offices in Southampton, Center Moriches and Manhattan.

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Amagansett's Sarah Jessica Parker is headed back to the small screen. An hour-long reality show she created featuring aspiring artists is now being co-developed by the creators of "Project Runway," and will reportedly run on Bravo.

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The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of the Hamptons will hold its Claws for Paws benefit on Saturday, August 16. The clambake, hosted by Ellen and Chuck Scarborough, will be held at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club, catered by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and feature visiting ARF dogs. Call 631-537-0400 for more information.

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Robert Verdi hosted Animal Fair magazine's 9th Annual Paws for Style Fashion Show at Arena on Tuesday, July 15. Celebs and activists including Lauren Conrad, Cornelia Guest, Nikki Blonski, Wendy Diamond, Jodie and Diane Fanelli, Richard Belzer, Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz, Devorah Rose and philanthropist Frances Hayward hit the runway with their four-legged friends in support of the Humane Society of New York wearing designs by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Jackie Rogers, Armani, Michael Mione', Maggie Norris and Heatherette.

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Two of the Hamptons' most famous rockers have been making some major music lately. Jon Bon Jovi played to an audience of over 100,000 on Central Park's Great Lawn, and still managed to sell out Madison Square Garden a few days later. And Billy Joel played a final concert for 60,000 at Shea Stadium, which is slated for demolition this fall. Joining the Piano Man onstage were Tony Bennett, John Mayer and John Cougar Mellencamp.

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The 13-acre property surrounding the Big Duck in Flanders has just been added to the State Register of historic sites. While the Big Duck itself was already listed on the State and National Registers, the former duck-farm site known as Big Duck Ranch had not been granted either status. Now that the application has been approved for the State Register, the property will soon be included on the National Register of historic sites, as well.

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Last weekend, Nicky Hilton and Mike Satsky hosted an exclusive clambake at the Grey Goose Manor in East Hampton. Guests at the soiree were treated to a lavish lobster feast and shellfish spread catered by Bravo's "Top Chef" finalist and celebrity chef, Cynthia Sestito. VIP guests included Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Camille Guaty, Scott Sartiano, Dani Stahl, Zach Chodorow, Kathy Ford and Blue & Cream's Jeff Goldstein, who was celebrating his birthday.

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Local eateries continue to please many celebrity palates. Spotted this week were Billy and Alec Baldwin at Wei Fun in East Hampton; Zach Efron at Montauk Yacht Club; Ed Burns, Christy Turlington and their children at Cherrystone's in East Hampton; and Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Stephanie Izard (this season's "Top Chef" winner) and Jodie Foster at Citarella in East Hampton.

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